Proposed International Society on Business and Industrial
Statistics (ISBIS)

Background

The International Statistical Institute has had a Committee
on Statistics in Business and Industry (SBI) for over a decade. The SBI
Committee is now preparing to form a new International Society on Industrial
and Business Statistics (ISBIS) and apply for section status within the
ISI, giving it access to a range of ISI benefits and facilitating the
Committee’s ability to discharge its mission.

The mission of the Committee is to support the work of
statisticians working in business and industry by monitoring their needs on an
ongoing basis, promoting research and applications and best current practices,
facilitating technology transfer, and fostering communication among members.
The Committee seeks to promote (both to statisticians and to industry) the
value and importance of Statistics in Business and Industry, and for supporting
suitable activities, particularly in lesser-developed countries. The scope
includes statistical methods and practices in all aspects of business and
industry.

Over the last decade, we have held
international conferences and workshops in various parts of the world (Israel,
Egypt, India, Japan, S. Korea, Italy, Spain, Sweden, etc.) either as main
organizers or co-sponsors. In 1999, we decided to name the conference as
International Symposium for Industrial Statistics, and the inaugural conference
(ISIS-1) was held in Sweden (Linköping). Subsequent ISIS meetings have been
held in Yokohama (2001) and Barcelona (2003). We have renamed it as ISBIS (to
cover business statistics); ISBIS-4 will be held in Cairns in April 2005 (http://www.action-m.com/isbis4). As an international
society, we hope to expand the range of activities considerably, as well as
provide a worldwide network for statisticians in academe and industry.

Objectives of the future
Society

To
build international co-operation and association between statisticians
working in business and industrial statistics and the exchange of
professional knowledge

To
seek to advance international co-operation and exchange of ideas and
information through conferences, workshops and publications

To
promote relations among sections of professional societies or groups
involved in business and industrial statistical activities

To
increase public awareness of the importance of statistics in business and
industry

To
foster co-operation at an international level between statistical
activities in universities and individuals working in business and
industry

To
encourage links between statisticians from developing and developed
countries

Benefits of membership in the Society

Being
part of an international community / network of professionals who are
interested in the applications of statistics in business and industry.

Opportunities
for members from developed countries to promote statistics in business and
industry at an international level; conferences will provide a forum for
professionals from various parts of the world to get together, present
leading-edge applications and research, and develop collaborations.

Opportunities
to develop links with others from developing countries, promote statistics
in business and industry in these places through technology transfer
activities such as workshops.

Opportunities
for members from developed countries to promote business and industrial
statistics within their country and region, organize conferences and workshops
with participation by professionals from different countries.

Reduced
registration fees at SBI Section-sponsored conferences and other events.

The
international link and co-operation will help in obtaining support for
business and industrial statistics activities in a local region.